50m long Mossy Carpet unveiled in Plymouth to promote actions for a greener future (press release)
A 50-metre long artwork created by thousands of people will be unveiled in Plymouth.
The Mossy Carpet has been created in Devon from more than 40,000 woollen pompoms and textile tufts inspired by moss. The artwork was initiated by the Art and Energy Collective and will be at The Box for Plymouth’s Big Green Trail event.
Inspired by the resilience and ecological importance of mosses and their role in the peatlands of Dartmoor, the Mossy Carpet engages communities in creating pieces of mossy art, symbolising collective efforts towards environmental sustainability.
Community groups from Plymouth and further afield have taken part in activities run by The Art and Energy Collective who aim to give people the opportunity to celebrate the small but significant actions people take for a greener future.
The Big Green Trail is a family-friendly event which highlights green projects in Plymouth, promotes sustainable travel and celebrates local climate legends – the unsung heroes who take climate action every day. There will be a celebratory walk along The Mossy Carpet, where participants can share their tiny actions for a brighter, greener future.
The Mossy Carpet celebration event at the Big Green Trail Event marks the end of a successful crowdfunder campaign involving over 20,000 participants from in and around Plymouth. Instead of a red carpet, participants will take a ‘walk of fame’ along the mossy carpet to celebrate their contributions to a better world.
After its appearance in Plymouth, the Mossy Carpet will go to Glastonbury Festival. Art and Energy plan to expand The Mossy Carpet project across the UK, introducing communities to the mosses that nurture life in their local landscapes. The goal is to create a 100-metre-long carpet in the run-up to COP30, serving as a visual representation of collective action for a better world. Donations are welcomed to support the next steps of the project.
Chloe Uden from the Art and Energy Collective said:
“Our idea is to take The Mossy Carpet across the UK continuing to inspire all sorts of different communities. We need to celebrate and share the small things we do, that together start to make a difference! Any support out there for The Mossy Carpet from individuals or organisations would be fantastic”.
Plymouth based, Jenny Ayrton, Art and Energy Collective artist and director said:
“I have been visiting groups by bike across the city, having a great time together making textile tufts and mossy pompoms for the carpet whilst we talk about all the small things we do to make the world better. I’ve heard about so many great things already happening locally, and lots of exciting plans being dreamt up for the future too. Getting creative gives an amazing opportunity to share and celebrate these ideas.”
Naomi Wright, Art and Energy Collective artist and director said:
“Mosses grow in cracks in the pavement and up on the peaty wild moorlands. They surprise us again and again with their abilities to take action to reduce the impact of climate change for themselves while nurturing other living beings. We have so much to learn from them!”
Since it started, The Mossy Carpet project has been supported by many people. In and around Plymouth this has included Plymouth Culture, Plymouth City Council, Sovereign Housing, Devon Community Foundation, Devon Environment Foundation, Theatre Royal Plymouth and over 100 individuals.
The Mossy Carpet will be at The Box with activities taking place between 10am and 4pm on Saturday 22 June.
For more information
Chloe Uden chloe@artandenergy.org hello@artandenergy.org
Gillian Taylor 07761 546075 gillian@gilliantaylorpr.com
Download high res images
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/atg2r0ko2r20hjalylfwi/AAVvtazVKo4W8FSaNPymBsA?rlkey=1827sfvye5m7k07s6gjcw3cau&dl=0
About The Art and Energy Collective
The Art and Energy Collective is dedicated to creating beautiful, engaging artworks that inspire and facilitate conversations about energy, environment, and community. Their innovative projects bring together artists, scientists, and communities to explore sustainable futures through the power of art.
About Plymouth’s Big Green Trail Event
This fun, family-friendly event highlights the wonderful green and blue sustainable projects with a raft of free activities at locations in Plymouth's city centre, all accessible without using a car. The event promotes active and sustainable travel (walking and cycling) and showcases fantastic stories within the community. Enjoy free use of Beryl Bikes and explore a variety of wonderful places and spaces in the city centre. The day will also celebrate Plymouth's local climate legends – the unsung heroes who take climate action every day, with 5 winners selected from public nominations by an independent judging panel.
Join us on June 22nd at The Box, Plymouth, to experience The Mossy Carpet and celebrate our community’s tiny actions for a brighter, greener future!
Event Schedule:
10:00am - Event Starts
11:00am - Reading of "A Mossy Story" by author Micha Colombo
1:00pm - Reading of "A Mossy Story" by author Micha Colombo
2:00pm - Arrival of the Big Green Trail Relay, and a Celebratory Walk on The Mossy Carpet by Local Climate Legends
4:00pm - Event Ends
To walk on the artwork, attendees must remove their shoes and wear socks.
